Get ready to pack your overnight bag! 2024 is the year to get REAL about self-care time! Whether you're a first-time mom with a newborn babe at home or you have a house teeming with kiddos, a getaway is likely to do you a whole lot of good! Don't worry - we won't take you on a road trip far away from home. You can stay right here at a hotel in The Woodlands (your choice of lavish, quaint, or something in between), so you won't feel completely out of your element.
Here' s the catch. You have to take your break BEFORE you're feeling overwhelmed. A tired mom is not a FUN mom. She is likely to check into a hotel and... well... you guessed it... SLEEP! And yes, while a peaceful night's sleep is super important, you'll want to be refreshed enough to enjoy quality time in a hot tub, go for spa treatments, and just appreciate not being with your mate or young kids for a while. Here's how to enjoy your alone time AWAY from home this year.
1. Choose a hotel where there's plenty of action.
The best places are those that won't require you to get in your car and drive each time you want to have an excursion. Decide what amenities are best for you, and do your research ahead of time. Consider whether or not the hotel offers breakfast, a fitness center, room service, on-site dining, a digital room key, complimentary shuttle, an outdoor pool, valet parking, etc.
Here are some of my picks:
- Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center - Situated right on the Woodlands Waterway, this hotel features on-site dining, plus you're just a few hops away from upscale restaurants, a movie theater, and live music venues. Bonus is that there's a Starbucks and luxury spa on site. A whole-body therapeutic massage might be a great way to get your groove back.
- Hyatt Centric - Located in Market Street, this chic boutique hotel gives you speedy access to shopping, dining, and spa services without having to rev up your Tesla. You'll like the modern rooms and classy feel, and an apple martini on the open-air terrace might set you in a mood for shopping downstairs at one of the many upscale stores in Market Street.
- Embassy Suites - If you prefer a larger room and complimentary cocktails, Embassy Suites in Hughes Landing is a great value. You'll have separate bedroom and living areas, and you might especially love the heated infinity pool and the evening manager's reception. Walk to the neighboring restaurants in Hughes Landing for dinner and dessert.
- Hyatt House in Shenandoah is tucked away in the back parking lot of Metropark Square, an up-and-coming entertainment complex. The hotel gives you walking access to AMC Theaters, sushi and other restaurant cuisines, a nail salon, Dave & Buster's, and more. Depending on the season, you might catch an open-air farmer's market!
- The Woodlands Resort is a recently-updated luxury resort hotel that's pretty secluded and set apart from major attractions in The Woodlands. If you feel like exploring beyond the grounds, there's a private shuttle, or you can get in your vehicle for a short drive. But why would you? There's dining on-site, tennis courts, golf courses, a lavish pool complex, and plenty of quiet, wooded spots throughout the resort to make you feel like you've truly escaped. The Woodlands Resort is truly the perfect place for a mommy staycation.
- The Westin is a great place to stay if you want to feel upscale! Your luxury retreat offers valet parking, an on-site Starbucks, and easy access to Waterway Square. If there's music or an event planned in the square, your room's floor-to-ceiling windows might give you a front-row seat to the action, plus you'll have walking access to restaurants, the movies, and the mall. If rooftop yoga class or elegant room service is your jam, this is the hotel for you!
- Hotel Indigo is modern and vibrant, and one of the newer hotels in our area. You might enjoy the outdoor pool with free cabanas and the poolside bar.
2. Decide on when to go.
You can totally plan a getaway for a special occasion like your birthday or Mother's Day, but I recommend that you just choose a random "just because" day. Chances are you'll want to be with your family for the special holidays. And besides, you won't want the stress of having a "Mother's Day-approved" getaway. If you decide to go low-key and wear leggings and a t-shirt and just be cozy-comfy in your natural beauty, instead of being all fancy-like, you should be free to do that for your staycation.
3. Pack your bag.
Don't pack a suitcase. Suitcases are stiff and cumbersome, and they somehow feel like business. Invest in a cute overnight bag. (I reviewed this one last year, and I LOVE it! It's large, feminine, and has a secret storage compartment to fit an extra pair of shoes.) Bring a change of clothes for the evening, in case you want to head out for dinner, plus a set of clothes to wear the next morning. Pack makeup and makeup wipes, hair stuff, and other toiletries. You know the drill. Besides all this, be sure to pack some extras that you can enjoy in your free time. Will you spend the time reading your Bible or another good book? Crafting? Journaling? Painting your nails? Bring along all the tools you need to make your overnight stay fabulous. And a mommy getaway is definitely the time to pack those satin pajamas.
4. Unplug, but be safe.
Tell a family member (your spouse perhaps) or a good friend where you're going and give them a tentative schedule, and check in a time or two during the evening, just because it's always great to let a trusted loved one know what you're doing. New moms will probably feel more comfortable checking in more frequently, and that's okay too. Either way, be sure to spend some time with your phone on silent, and give social media a break too, as it can eat up a lot of your time.
5. Do some “thangs” (in my urban dictionary voice).
I mentioned a few activities above, but the sky is the limit. Do every little thing that you always daydream of doing but never have the time or freedom to do. Have a best friend meet up with you for dinner. (Friend only gets a short time with you, because this is YOUR night!). Or have dinner solo. See a movie. Go somewhere different for dessert. Relax in your hotel room and: crank out some business ideas, read, watch TV, listen to music, paint your nails, take a nap, order room service, drive a distance and hit the shops in Old Town Spring... the evening is your oyster!
6. Grab a special treat.
Is there a dessert or something else that you love but rarely take the opportunity to indulge in? This is the perfect time to do so and would be beneficial for your mental health. For me, the treat would be a slice of turtle cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. I'd pop in for a to-go slice, and then later in the evening when I'm in my PJs, I'd enjoy my cake right there in bed. What will it be for you? A chocolate martini that you can order at the hotel bar? Shower steamers from Lush? A fun new lip gloss from the MAC counter in Macy's?
7. Consider the total cost.
What should you budget for your staycation? It can vary, but for a single night at a hotel coupled with dining and some other additions for you to live your best life for a few hours, I'd say $500 is a good amount to set aside. That's enough for your hotel room, dinner and dessert, and any impulsive shopping you end up doing.
8. Check out our Editor's Picks for your staycation.
We've put together a short list of items you'll want to have on hand during your staycation - a self-help workbook, hair towel, nail polish, stylish sun shades, cozy slippers, and more! Click the collage below to go directly to the wish list on the WoodlandsMommy.comAmazon storefront!
I wish you a fabulous mom's night away from home!
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